Intrinsically Safe Cellular Tank Monitor For Liquified Gas and Cryogenic Liquids

Abstract

An intrinsically safe cellular tank level monitor for use with consumer LP storage tanks is provided. The cellular monitor is adapted to read the LP storage tank gauge and transmit the level information through a cellular network to a data center. The data center may be part of or may communicate with a fuel delivery service company serving the residential consumer. The cellular monitor is a smart device that allows two-way communication over the cellular network. Control logic within the cellular monitor controls transmission of data to the data center as well as the determination and transmission of alarm conditions as determined by the local cellular monitor.

1 . A fuel level reporting system for use with a consumer liquid propane (LP) fuel tank having a remote ready fuel level gauge disposed thereon, the fuel level gauge having a magnet mechanically coupled to an internal float mechanism, the magnet being oriented by the internal float mechanism as a function of the level of LP contained therein, the LP fuel tank having defined therearound a Zone 0 hazardous environment, comprising:
 an intrinsically safe cellular monitor configured to be magnetically attached to the LP fuel tank within the Zone 0 hazardous environment;   a Hall effect module operatively coupled to the cellular monitor and adapted to be attached to the fuel level gauge to determine a position of the magnet, the Hall effect module providing a ratiometric voltage output proportional to the level of fuel in the LP fuel tank;   wherein the cellular monitor is programmed to report fuel level information directly to a data center via a cellular network based on a reporting schedule, and wherein the cellular monitor is further programmed to report fuel level information directly to the data center via the cellular network immediately when the cellular monitor determines a predetermined condition has occurred regardless of the reporting schedule.   
   
   
       2 . The fuel level reporting system of  claim 1 , wherein the cellular monitor reports fuel level information using an SMS message transmitted over the cellular network. 
   
   
       3 . The fuel level reporting system of  claim 1 , wherein the cellular monitor reports fuel level information using a global-gram message transmitted over the cellular network. 
   
   
       4 . The fuel level reporting system of  claim 1 , wherein the cellular monitor reports fuel level information using a GPRS message transmitted over the cellular network. 
   
   
       5 . The fuel level reporting system of  claim 1 , wherein the cellular monitor reports fuel level information using a 1XRTT message transmitted over the cellular network. 
   
   
       6 . The fuel level reporting system of  claim 1 , wherein the cellular monitor reports fuel level information using a EDGE message transmitted over the cellular network. 
   
   
       7 . The fuel level reporting system of  claim 1 , wherein the cellular monitor is configured for two-way cellular communications, and wherein the reporting schedule is derived by the cellular monitor based on information received over the cellular network. 
   
   
       8 . The fuel level reporting system of  claim 1 , wherein the cellular monitor is configured for two-way cellular communications, and wherein the predetermined condition utilizes at least one threshold received over the cellular network. 
   
   
       9 . The fuel level reporting system of  claim 1 , further comprising the data center, and wherein the data center provides the fuel level information to users via a wide area network. 
   
   
       10 . The fuel level reporting system of  claim 9 , the wide area network is the Internet, and wherein the data center provides the fuel level information as a webpage that may be accessed by the users via a thin client interface. 
   
   
       11 . The fuel level reporting system of  claim 10 , wherein the webpage is configured to allow user defined parameter to be entered by the users; and wherein the data center is configured to transmit the user defined parameter to the cellular monitor via the cellular network. 
   
   
       12 . A fuel level reporting system, comprising:
 a consumer liquid propane (LP) fuel tank having a remote ready fuel level gauge disposed thereon, the fuel level gauge having a magnet mechanically coupled to an internal float mechanism, the magnet being oriented by the internal float mechanism as a function of the level of LP contained therein, the LP fuel tank having defined therearound a Zone 0 hazardous environment;   an intrinsically safe cellular monitor configured to be magnetically attached to the LP fuel tank within the Zone 0 hazardous environment;   a Hall effect module operatively coupled to the cellular monitor and adapted to be attached to the fuel level gauge to determine a position of the magnet, the Hall effect module providing a ratiometric voltage output proportional to the level of fuel in the LP fuel tank;   wherein the cellular monitor is programmed to report fuel level information directly to a data center via a cellular network based on a reporting schedule, and wherein the cellular monitor is further programmed to report fuel level information directly to the data center via the cellular network immediately when the cellular monitor determines a predetermined condition has occurred regardless of the reporting schedule.   
   
   
       13 . The fuel level reporting system of  claim 12 , wherein the cellular monitor is configured for two-way cellular communications, and wherein the reporting schedule is derived by the cellular monitor based on information received over the cellular network. 
   
   
       14 . The fuel level reporting system of  claim 12 , wherein the cellular monitor is configured for two-way cellular communications, and wherein the predetermined condition utilizes at least one threshold received over the cellular network. 
   
   
       15 . The fuel level reporting system of  claim 12 , further comprising the data center, and wherein the data center provides the fuel level information to users via a wide area network. 
   
   
       16 . The fuel level reporting system of  claim 15 , the wide area network is the Internet, and wherein the data center provides the fuel level information as a webpage that may be accessed by the users via a thin client interface. 
   
   
       17 . The fuel level reporting system of  claim 16 , wherein the webpage is configured to allow user defined parameter to be entered by the users; and wherein the data center is configured to transmit the user defined parameter to the cellular monitor via the cellular network. 
   
   
       18 . A method of reporting fuel level remaining in a consumer liquid propane (LP) fuel tank having a remote ready fuel level gauge disposed thereon, the fuel level gauge having a magnet mechanically coupled to an internal float mechanism, the magnet being oriented by the internal float mechanism as a function of the level of LP contained therein, the LP fuel tank having defined therearound a Zone 0 hazardous environment, comprising the steps of:
 magnetically attaching an intrinsically safe cellular monitor to the LP fuel tank within the Zone 0 hazardous environment;   attaching a Hall effect module that is operatively coupled to the cellular monitor to the fuel level gauge to determine a position of the magnet, the Hall effect module providing a ratiometric voltage output proportional to the level of fuel in the LP fuel tank;   programming the cellular monitor to report fuel level information directly to a data center via a cellular network based on a reporting schedule; and   programming the cellular monitor to report fuel level information directly to the data center via the cellular network immediately when the cellular monitor determines a predetermined condition has occurred regardless of the reporting schedule.   
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising the step of sending a message directly to the cellular monitor via the cellular network to vary the reporting schedule. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising the step of sending a message directly to the cellular monitor via the cellular network to vary parameters upon which the cellular monitor determines the predetermined condition.